United States
How Can We Get NIMBYs to Say Yes?
Will Doig reflects on the scourge of public micromanagement that has "essentially become an official part of the urban planning process in many cities," and explores the psychology behind anti-development activism.
Why Car Sharing Won't Reduce Emissions
A new study by the RAND corporation highlights the various benefits of expanding car-sharing nationwide. It turns out, however, that significantly reducing carbon emissions isn't one of them, writes Brad Plumer.
In Defense of the American Community Survey
Recently Congress voted in favor of a GOP measure to scrap the American Community Survey, on the basis of its alleged intrusiveness. Now a backlash is growing in defense of the survey, even among some conservatives, reports Matthew Yglesias.
How to Get Rural Transit Right
With nearly 40 percent of the United States’ transit-dependent population living in rural areas, it's imperative that rural transit agencies get the most out of their investments. A new report explores how some are getting it right.
Examining Zoning's Origins to Shed Light on Current Critiques
As traditional zoning comes under increasing criticism for its exclusionary practices, strict separation of uses, and controls on density, Daniel Nairn explores its genesis and the arguments of pioneering planner Edward Murray Bassett.
McMansions: They're Baaack
Well that didn't take long. After falling out of favor during the economic downturn, AnnaMaria Andriotis examines how the rise in new home sales is being driven in part by demand for those maligned symbols of conspicuous consumption.
Heat Islands May Not Be So Bad After All
Emily Badger reports on pioneering research that is looking into ways to utilize the heat trapping properties of asphalt, rather than fighting it.
The "Crazy Days" of Homeownership Are Over - But That's a Good Thing
Sara Robinson explains how the historical view of American homeownership -- that of a life-long commitment to place and "housey goodness" with no expectation of financial gain -- may be coming back.
How Do Your City's Parks Score?
A new tool for assessing the quality of the park systems in America's cities was unveiled this week by The Trust for Public Land. Ryan Donahue delivers the rankings.
Did Your Traffic Improve Last Year?
According to a new study out this week by research group INRIX, urban traffic congestion in the U.S. plummeted last year by 30 percent over the previous year. Angie Schmitt summarizes the surprising findings, and investigates what the cause may be.
Coal-Generated Power Plummets Due To Cheap Natural Gas
According to the Energy Information Agency's (EIA) May outlook, expect coal-generated electric power to drop a full 15% for 2012 while natural gas generated power increases by 24%. Coal dropped from 45% to 36% as the source of U.S. power generation.
PILOT Agreements Gain in Popularity, As Non-Profits are Asked to Pay the Piper
The financial crises faced by many municipalities has them searching for ever more creative means to bolster city budgets. As a result, non-profit institutions are increasingly being asked to complete payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreements.
The U.S. Military: The Next Apostle of New Urbanism?
The Department of Defense has released new guidelines encouraging mixed-use, compact, walkable development throughout the nation's military bases, Sean Reilly reports.
Has Our Crush on Cars Run Its Course?
Ashley Halsey III probes the end of America's monogamous love affair with the automobile, as a younger generation experiments with alternative transportation lifestyles.
Explaining America's Great Inversion
Richard Florida speaks with Alan Ehrenhalt about the subject of his new book, The Great Inversion and the Future of the American City: the reversal of the last century's great shift in people and economic activity to the suburbs
Is Corporate Sponsorship the Solution to Budget Shortfalls?
Inspired by the corporate sponsorship that made New York City's new bike share system possible, Steve Smith believes that public facilities across our cities are ripe for branding.
Biking Saves Billions
A new study released on Friday, coinciding with National Bike to Work Day, finds that bicyclists in the United States save at least $4.6 billion a year by riding instead of driving, reports Tanya Mohn.
Is Public Transit Addictive?
Recent studies seem to indicate that public transportation is habit-forming, and, as Brad Plumer notes, that may not be a good thing.
Rooftop Greenhouses, Now by Mail Order
A Switzerland-based design group is bringing back the geodesic dome in a big way with an aquaponic greenhouse that can be placed on just about any flat roof, Zak Stone reports.
Are Smart Phones Spoiling Our Public Spaces
The smart phones that keep us constantly connected to cyberspace may have detrimental effects on our public spaces, writes Emily Badger.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
